This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Koss. I have been compensated for this review however my opinions are always my own.
I know some people enjoy the sound of silence when they workout but not me. I need music to get pumped up for lifting or distract me from my discomfort on a run. I find the treadmill or elliptical rather unpleasant but they are necessary in the cold and early darkness of winter. I need a podcast, audio book or television show to hold my interest and keep me from feeling like a hamster on a wheel.
Perhaps this is why the Koss team thought I would be a good person to review their Koss Fit Series FitBuds and FitClips earbuds. I had only heard of Koss in passing before their partnership with FitFluential. But am I really glad they chose me to try out their Fit Series products. These “Designed for Women. By Women.” earbuds are truly the best I’ve ever used.
Before Koss, I mainly used the earbuds that came with my iPhone. Serviceable but they let in a lot of noise and have a tendency to fall out of my ears, especially when running. I also tried my husband’s pair of fancy noise canceling earbuds on our London trip. I am sure they would have worked great if I hadn’t had the same problem – they kept falling out of my ears. I wasn’t even working out on the plane. They just wouldn’t stay in. Both the FitBuds and the FitClips solved this problem.
First, I tried out the FitBuds in the gym. Gym workouts these days are comprised of weights (full body strength training) and some form of machine cardio to make up for the absence of after dinner walks. Right now I am actually loving podcasts or audio books while I lift weights. I find fitness podcasts and non-fiction books inspiring. They either make me mad (when I disagree) or make me want to be better. Either way, it puts some power behind my strength work. If you’re looking for a good podcast I actually find the Jillian Michaels one quite entertaining. If you want a great book to help you achieve your goals try one of these:
- Power of Purpose by Richard J Leider
- Drive by Daniel Pink
- Switch by Chip & Dan Heath
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
It was moving to the treadmill that the FitBuds got their real test. The treadmill is noisy as well as boring. The FitBuds (and FitClips) have 3 different sizes of ear cushions plus they are 33% smaller than your average ear buds. Using the smallest ear cushion, these ear buds actually fit like a glove in my apparently tinier than average ears. Thus, even though these are not noise canceling ear buds, they blocked out the treadmill noise perfectly. I was able to enjoy what I found out was the FINAL episode in the mini-series Top of the Lake perfectly. (Add this to your Netflix que by the way!)
The next day it was time to try out the FitClips. With a pending winter storm, I wanted to take advantage of a sunny and 60 degree day while I had it with a run. I slipped on the small ear cushions and adjusted the over the ear clips for another perfect fit. They didn’t fall out while I was running plus I didn’t have to turn up the volume nearly as much to hear my tunes. Did I mention I love to run to 80s hairbands? Those songs are loud enough on their own. My ears and I loved the ability of the FitClips to keep the outside noise at bay and provide great sound quality for the big guitar sound.
They are also sweat resistant. I sweat like a pig when I exercise but especially so when I run. I’ve always worried that I might get a weird shock from my ear buds or, at the very least, ruin them from the amount of sweat that pours off my body. One more problem solved by the Koss Fit Series ear buds.
While I didn’t have these headphones in time to add to my 2013 Fit Gifts List, I would make an 11th spot for the FitBuds and FitClips. If you’ve got an active woman on your list who can’t run without tunes or likes to catch up on The Walking Dead on the treadmill, they would make a great gift. At a special price of $19.99 during the holiday season (at places like Sears, Best Buy, Walgreens and Kmart) they even fit into your stocking stuffer budget.
Have more questions about the Koss Fit Series products? Hit them up directly for all the answers:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/koss
Twitter: @KossHeadphones
Instagram: @Koss
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/KossHeadphones
Have you tried the Koss Fit Series FitBuds or FitClips? What’s your favorite audio distraction?
